Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced today the partnership with A1 TEAM USA owner Rick Weidinger for the No. 15 entry in the the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race set for Sunday, May 27, 2007, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The No. 15 Honda-powered Dallara car driven by 2004 Indy 500 Champion Buddy Rice of Phoenix, Ariz., will be known as the A1 TEAM USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Honda throughout the month of May including qualifications and the 200-lap classic.
Last year Weidinger teamed up with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the 2006 Indy 500.
“We are excited to return to the Indianapolis 500 as a co-entrant with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team, ” said Weidinger, whose racing effort represents the United States in the international A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Racing Series. “The Indy 500 is the greatest spectacle in motorsports and most famous auto race in the world and we feel privileged to have another former winner in Buddy Rice as our team’s driver. Rice is one of America’s top open-wheel drivers with a vast background in road racing also. Buddywill carry the American spirit of the A1 TEAM USA and the international appeal of A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. “
Rice, 31, is set for his fourth appearance at the famed Brickyard and he dominated the 2004 event by winning the pole, leading the most laps and taking the checkered flag in a great come-from-behind victory.
“It is tremendous to bring Rick and the A1 TEAM USA effort to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for this month, ” said Rice, a three-time IndyCar Series winner. “I believe we have a strong, professional operation that can make the No. 15 car a contender on May 27. Having won the world’s biggest race in the past, we have the opportunity to race for the win with the A1 TEAM USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry. I am very excited about our effort. “
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing brings two entries to the 91st Indy 500 with Rice and veteran driver Sarah Fisher, who’ll drive the No. 5 AAMCO Transmissions Honda Dallara. Fisher’s car also will carry the A1 TEAM USA logo during the month of May.
“Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is extremely pleased to have Rick Weidinger and his A1 TEAM USA organization return to the Indy 500 with our No. 15 car and former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice, ” said Dennis Reinbold, co-owner of the Indianapolis-based racing team. “Rick and his A1 TEAM USA came to Indy last year with our organization and we had a great relationship during the month. It is fantastic to have his operation part of Buddy’s No. 15 in 2007. We hope to give Buddy a chance to win his second Indy 500. “
Weidinger is no stranger to open-wheel racing in the U. S., having been a co-owner withKelley Racing in the IndyCar Series in 2004. Weidinger’s involvement with the Kelley team included ownership on Fisher’s IndyCar Series car.
Weidinger’s A1 TEAM USA recently completed the 2006/2007 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport by placing ninth of the 24 teams representing its country duringthe 11-race worldwide series.
About A1 TEAM USA:
A1 TEAM USA and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport came to owner Rick Weidinger’s attention as national franchises were being big for the new series. Weidinger previously served as a co-owner with Kelley Racing, an IndyCar Series organization. Along with minority partners Rusty Lewis and Bill Dean, Weidinger finalized the franchise acquisition in July 2005.
Pro-artist Steve Kaufman designed the livery of the car’s chassis, including the words “We The People” in several languages. The engineering side of the team is operated by West Surrey Racing. In 2006, A1 TEAM USA served as a co-entrant on the No. 31 entry driven by Al Unser Jr. at the 90th Indy 500. This year, A1 TEAM USA fielded drivers Phil Giebler, Ryan Hunter-Reay and rookie Jonathan Summerton and placed ninth overall in the final standings.
About Dreyer & Reinbold Racing:
Indianapolis-based Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is owned by Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl. The team was formed in 2000 by Dennis Reinbold and Eric DeBord, after partnering with Sinden Racing in 1999 for two races with driver Robbie Buhl. The team won their first race at Walt Disney World Speedway in 2000, and Buhl joined the team as a co-owner in 2000. In January, DRR announced that 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice and three-time Most Popular Driver Sarah Fisher would wheel the team entries in 2007; expanding to a two- car team for the first time since 2003. In 2006, DRR fielded Ryan Briscoe in four events and Sarah Fisher in two events to round out the season. Previous drivers include Buddy Lazier (2006), who drove in seven races for DRR, Al Unser Jr. (2006), who drove a second entry at Indy alongside Lazier, Roger Yasukawa (2005), Jeff Bucknum (2005), who piloted a car in Japan and Indy, and Felipe Giaffone, who moved into the driver’s seat following Buhl’s retirement in 2004. Buddy Lazier also piloted an entry at Indy in 2004. Along with Buhl, the team also fielded a second car in 2002 and 2003 for driver Sarah Fisher, three times voted the league’s “Most Popular Driver. ” With teammate Buhl, Steve Knapp drove the team’s second entry at Indy in 2000.
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